IPL
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“IPL Destroyed my Face and Chest!”

40 posts
Comments (17)
Updated 15 Jan 2010
Posted 30 Sep 2009
Not Sure
Spent: $600 in Janesville, WI

I had IPL full face done 3yrs ago with awesome results.

I just had 3 IPL treaments done in Apr/May/June 2009 full face and a few spots on chest. I had 2nd degree burns on chest with blistering and now hypo pigmentation and my face was burned and I blistered under left eye with dents and bruising on face. 5 months later my face has gotten worse, it still swells and has to be iced evvery nite, my skin is sagging, lost volume in entire face, have more spots and scars appearing almost daily, my vision is extremely sensitive to light, i get a rash on my face when I talk on cell phone (from the heat!) I have bags and dark circles under my eyes that I have never had.This list goes on. My chest is still scarred with 1" white squares.

I looked fine before now this had aged me 10-20yrs. I am 48 and would like to know how this happeded and hopefully if there is any advise on what can be done. Doctors I have been to dont have any experience with IPL damage. Please Help I am including photos even thought I am extremely embarrased. Thank you for any insight or hope.

Can you please explain how this non-invasive procedure could have happened? How did I get white squares on my chest and not my face? And how could my face get worse, I did not have all those spots, dark circles, wrinkles, sagging and swelling before the procedure? Research out there is confusing, could you please explain?

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

My Doctor:

Refused to acknowledge that I was even burned (even though picture speak a thousand words)told me to just go home and heal for 6 months, offered no help or compassion.
Vote: 19 members found this review helpful

Comments (17)

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Sharon at RealSelf (Community Manager - 4,028 posts) 2 Oct 2009

Hi Carla,

I'm very sorry to hear what you've been through with IPL. I don't have any medical advice for you but there are a few other people on RealSelf who are going through what you are with IPL burns. In addition to getting a doctor's advice, they might be able to help by letting you know what they're doing to get rid of the burn marks.

Here are links to a few:
Ipl can seriously burn you

Beware! ipl can cause serious burns!

All of the IPL reviews and discussions are located here: IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

I hope this helps and good luck with your recovery. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

hzqh7p (2 posts) 4 Oct 2009
IPL's suck and so do the irresponsible doctors that adminster them. I also had a horrible experience with IPL from a dermatologist here in MI. I had a mild case of melasma,(very mild, all I needed was creams, not IPL) he suggested the IPL's and now I have permanent scars on my face with almost a zig-zag on my cheek. No lie! My melasma went from being a very mild case to now covering about 50% more than what it was before. I'm angry and every time I look at my skin without makeup I want to cry. I spent hundreds of dollars to make me look worse? It's insane! It's robbed me of my once high self esteem, hate to be seen without makeup, hate to look at myself without it. I can't believe this procedure has done this to me. I'm so mad, thinking of sueing. It's just wrong and irresponsible on the part of the doctor and laser companies selling the idea that heat and light makes melasma better. WRONG, it makes it worse, trust me.
Carla D (40 posts) 6 Oct 2009
Sorry to hear about your trouble with IPL. I am filing a complaint with the States Dept. of Regulation and Licensing against the doctor, esthetician and the Medical director. From there I am sending copies to everyone, Atty. General, FDA, FTC, Consumer protection services and I have an appt with an attorney next week. I wont stop til something is done, I wish more people would report their IPL complications, especially burns and scars the their states Reg & Lic department and the FDA. I have been in depression and hiding in the house for 4 months and enough is enough. Somebody is going to held liable.
tried but failed (804 posts) 10 Oct 2009
Honestly, you look like a completely different person. If you find out what went wrong, please let us know. My dermatologist suggested IPL and now I am way too scared. Thanks for your courage in posting photos to warn the rest of us. Cheers
anonyta (1 post) 13 Oct 2009
This is serious malpractice. Have you considered suing? No matter what waivers you signed, you've suffered physical damage, that is mutilation. By filing a lawsuit you will be sending a message to irresponsible practitioners such as these.
Carla D (40 posts) 18 Oct 2009
Hi I spoke with an attorney last week who is really only interested if I can find an Expert Witness. I filed with the State Regulation and Licensing board and Medical Examing Board, but will take 3-4 months to hear anything, if they even investigate. I'm at a loss, none of us asked for this and no one will help. We all need to band together and make someone listen to us!
IPLandLaserSupport (4 posts) 18 Oct 2009
Yes, I know. This is a common complaint on many message boards all over the Internet. I'm sorry this happened to you. Many others have been damaged as well with the same problems you have had. There is even a support board for those such as yourself who have been damaged by IPL and other medical devices. I'm sorry you've had to go through this. DCNGA
Carla D (40 posts) 18 Oct 2009
Thank you for your concern. It is still a nightmare, and one I want to wake up from it. I feel for everyone out there that has suffered any harm from IPL and Lasers. We need to all get together with our stories and Picutres (no matter how embarrassing they are) and take this to the FDA, Congress, Our States Medical Boards, ATTy. General and who ever will listen inorder to change regulations and prevent others from having this happen to them. Please send me a link to the support website you mentioned, and again, Thank you.
hopeful24 (2 posts) 18 Oct 2009
Thanks for you brave photos. Its awful have- you seeked other options of skin specialist?
IPLandLaserSupport (4 posts) 19 Oct 2009
Do a search on IPL and Laser Damage. There is a support board where you can post your story and communicate with others who've had similar issues. Many have reported this to the FDA, some have attempted or have initiated private law suits, no attorney will take a class action. FDA seems to have little concern about this problem. Doctors claim it is not possible that IPL could do this and ignore those who have complained or said their problem was not related to the IPL and brushed them off. Sorry to be so discouraging, but your story has been told and retold over the last three years, of which I am aware on various message boards all over the Internet. Try the google search. URL postings are not allowed. Good luck.
robin3 (6 posts) 22 Oct 2009
stand outside of their establishment with a huge sign and maybe they won't be so quick to brush you off--it may even gain some much needed attention!! I am so sorry that this happened, I know how this can turn someone's world upside down, I am living through it also
Amazing Grace (9 posts) 22 Jan 2010
I was also severly injured by the incorrect use of a laser. However, I had laser hair removal (light sheer diode). I lost all the fat/volume in my face. I used to have super fat chipmunk cheeks and their just gone. My jawline is abnormal looking and my temples indent....I look awful now. I can't afford to fix the damage and of course, the doctor in Grand Rapids, Michigan, denied the damage and ..get this, called me names! However, if I had the money, injectables can restore the volume to your face. It will be an ongoing process..the rest of your life and you'll have to find someone skilled which is difficult. I would sue. I waited too long...you have just two years in Michigan to sue. Consider injectables for volume, do your research, if you have money...fly to the best doctor you can find. Good Luck.
Amazing Grace (9 posts) 22 Jan 2010
I was told it will take one year from the date of laser injury to see the full extent of the damage. I basically didn't sleep for a year, afraid of what I'd wake up to. Again, I lost all the volume (fat) in my face and the collagen hardened. I haven't had a date since this happened, I never had a problem before. Now, when people look at me, they either stare at the indented areas all over my face or ask me what happened to my face?
uncool (170 posts) 10 Mar 2010
Hi Carla and other laser victims. I'm so sorry that you have had to endure so much suffering due to these awful laser machines and the deception, lies and greed behind them. Every day people are being burnt and having their quality of life robbed from them . How can these machines still be marketed??? The risks are way too high and it is appalling that nothing is done about it. Endless reports of scarring, fat loss, sagging skin, change of texture, pigmentation, melasma, large pores, broken veins, ulcerations, wrinkles, bumps, eye damage etc, etc have been reported and yet they are completely overlooked and fall on deaf ears...all in the name of personal gain and greed at the expense of peoples lives...SHOCKING!!!
mishela (1 post) 30 Mar 2010
hello, i know this might come off as rude, but i am thinking of getting ipl for hair remooval(full body and uper lip) ive read your story, but i cannot seem to find any pictures. i know its embarassing. and im embarassed to ask, but i really want to make sure im doing the right thing.
ORANGE COUNTY6267 (1 post) 27 Jan 2011
I too had IPL done at Spa Aesthetica in Orange. My chest was severely burned. I had done several treatments and the last one disfigured me. They told me during the blistering time that I would get a good turn out. The scarring ws so bad , that, finally after two years of depression I had to have them tatooed. They still show but are more camaflouged. I know their there every day. I used to enjoy getting ready in the morning, since this IPL i dread looking in the mirror. It has realy ruined my life to an extent. I am now recovering 3 years later mentally. I wanted to sue, but Spa Aesthetica would not give me my medical records. I hope I save others from this disaster.
wallsend1 (3 posts) 29 Jan 2011
You marked this as undecided. Shouldn't that say "not worth it?"

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